[Avodah] Kiddush in Shul - Friday night

[Rich, Joel]

> The way I heard it told, the point was to provide qiddush for those 
> living in the Hakhnasis Orchim, the poorhouse, or in some areas, the 
> back of the shul.  

Question: Do we know when the practice originated and/or whether a
reason was given at the time?
KT
Joel Rich    
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE 
ADDRESSEE.  IT MAY CONTAIN PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL 
INFORMATION THAT IS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE.  Dissemination, 
distribution or copying of this message by anyone other than the addressee is 
strictly prohibited.  If you received this message in error, please notify us 
immediately by replying: "Received in error" and delete the message.  
Thank you.